Rockezine.com interview with Doornroosje - Nijmegen on Oct 11, 2006

with Robert Meijerink on Oct 11, 2006


		Before getting started, can you tell us something about the Doornroosje history? When was the venue started, which band was the first to play, who came up with the name of the place, what’s the history of the building, stuff like that? Doornroosje was started in 1970 in the former Antoniusschool at the Groenewoudseweg in Nijmegen. The history of Doornroosje is party one of many conflicts and squabble. This is logical because Doornroosje has been in the forward line of cultural movements. From the very start Doornroosje programmed local punk, Jamaican rootsregae, US singer songwriters and Swedish pop. Doornroosje also used to co organize gigs at other locations like the much larger De Vereeniging. This way Doornroosje managed to get big names like Sinead O Connor, Tom Waits and Van Morrisson to Nijmegen. Soon Doornroosje evolved into one of the main podia in The Netherlands. The venue became a place where unknown talent got the oppertunity to present themselves and try to force a braek through. Bands like Joy Division, Cocteau Twins, Beck, dEUS, Pixies, Radiohead, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Fu Manchu, Bonnie Prince Billy, Jamie Lidell and Editors all played Doornroosje.
		What is your oldest memory of Doornroosje? My first memories are of the Fast Forward Festival in 1994 and 1995. I remember some of the artists that played the festival: Sebadoh, Smog, Beck, Mountain Goats and Billy Childish. The Fast Forward Festival was a excellent and very attracktive festival in the Doornroosje concert halls, both were decorated with paintings and drawings of the performing artists. It was a very original and current festival for that time. Besides this festival I remember Shellac as the first concert I visited in Doornroosje.
		What has Doornroosje got what no other venue in The Netherlands has got? The present venue breathes history and has a very attractive and distinctive atmosphere.
		Can you tell us something about the Doornroosje staff? The past couple of years much has changed within the orginazation. The poor financial side forced us to fire some of the staff. At present the orginazation is about thirt percent smaller and more compact. In my opinion the present staff is tighter, more motivated and a lot more possitive. We notice that there is a lot of zest among students and teenagers to work for Doornroosje.
		You are the Doornroosje programmer. Tell me, how do you become programmer at a venue? What education do you have and why did they (who ever they are) give you this job? I started out as a vollunteer at the yought centre Why Don’t Cha in Diepenheim. A small group of people orginized some small gigs, a dance night and once a year a festival (at ascention day). We did everything ourselves, from promoting, bar tending, technic, even the cleaning the day after. I’ve studied CMV but learned most from the several jobs I did. I’ve been vj, tourmanager, roady and light technician. Since 2001 I can call myself the programmer of the very popular Valkhof Affaire (a festival that takes place during the famous Vierdaagse Feesten in Nijmegen). This festival features seven days of live music at some of the best outdoor places in Nijmegen. Partly because of my work at the Valkhof Affaire Doornroosje knocked on my door when they were in search for a new programmer in September of 2003.
		What is the toughest thing that a promotor has to do? There’s a lot of email, a lot of phonecalling … listening and talking. I wouldn’t say that this is tough work, I’m enjoying my job too much.
		Can you describe an average day in the working life of Robert Meijerink? Besides programming for Doornroosje and the Valkhof Affaire, I’m also responcible for the program of Eurosonic. For the latter I have to visit lots of festivals throughout Europe. This means that I have to do a lot of travelling. So far I’ve been able to combine all my work. My everage day starts quite early. I try to have my first cup of coffee around 10 O’clock to start of my day. Every day there are some meetings, some negotiations, a lot of email and phoning. Work, hobby and personal interests are stronly interweaven. My work doesn’t stop when I get on my bike to travel home from a day at Doornroosje. I usualy take the evenings to listen to new music at home. You simply can’t be a programmer and work from nine till five.
		Which band are you most proud of getting to Doornroosje? There are several. My favorites are: Antony & the Johnsons, Mastodon, Jaga Jazzist, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Jamie Lidell, en Editors.
		Do you visit most of the concerts at Doornroosje yourself? Of course! I try to visit as many gigs as possible. I have had to miss a few though. Mainly because of my work for Eurosonic.
		There is a lot to do about moving Doornroosje to a new building. Why is it important for Doornroosje to move? What is it that you’re gonna mis most about the present building? The present venue lies in the middel of a residental erea, outside the centre of Nijmegen. This is not a proper place for a venue like Doornroosje. We have quite some problems with our eaccessibility and parking facilities. Our venue, the former school building, is far from ideal for concerts and dance events. We have problems with the airco, the ceiling is very low, the toilets are in the wrong place (too close to the stage), we have no proper wardrobe or ticket desk. The ARBO even told us that the present building is not suited for working at all! The inspection is accommodation because there are plans for a new venue. The first plans for a new building date from 1989. At present it looks like a new building should be ready in 2010. This building will be biggen (one large hall with a capacity of 1100 people and a smaller one for a crowd of 400. There won’t be any big changes in the programming though. The smaller hall is specially for the more alternative bands. The larger hall will make it possible to get bigger names to Nijmegen. The problem is however that Doornroosje doesn’t have a substantial funds to programm the bigger bands! This is a petty because the potential is uge, Nijmegen houses over 30.000 students! The new venue should make it easier to get these students to Doornroosje more often. The biggest chalange however is to move the intimicy and atmosphere from the old building to the yet to be build new one.
		What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made professionaly at Doornroosje? Well, besides overestimating the expected crowd for several concerts there aren’t any big mistakes I can remember. In general I have no trouble predicting the size of the crowd that will come to a show.
		Final question: What was the best gig of last season and what is going to be this years highlight? I can name three gigs of the past year that really impressed me: Deerhoof, Andrew Bird en Nada Surf. The first couple of months from this season feature some truely interesting names. (Ephel Duath, The Black Keys, Two Gallants, Eek a Mouse, Tunng, Thomas Dybdahl, Johan, John Vanderslice, Senor Coconut, American Headcharge, Ozark Henry, Twilight Singers, Deicide, The Answer a.o.). There’s one band I would like to tip though: Man Man (a true live sensation). They play Doornroosje at November second and then there is ofcourse the very special French singer sing write Nosfell (November 17th).
		Oh, I forgot the obvious question. Is there anything else you want to share with out readers? Yes! You can become a friend of Doornroosje at www.myspace.com/doornroosjenijmegen, and if you like you can visite our website www.doornroosje.nl for an up to date schedule. Buying tickets never has been easier. You can order them online with no extra charges! Hope to see you at Doornroosje!
Picture by Ilse Lambert (Geert Oldenmenger)